Borderline survivor still at crime scene

While detectives pick through the pieces of a popular country bar damaged by gunfire and panicking patrons, some Santa Clarita Valley patrons remain stuck at the scene, roped inside the investigation.

Katie Wilkie, of Santa Clarita, who survived the shooting, reported still being at the murder scene, late Friday afternoon.

“It’s been a crazy couple of days,” she said. “I can’t come in (home) since my car hasn’t been released from the crime scene yet.”

“I wasn’t asked to stay,” she said. “I just haven’t had my car and been able to leave. I’m still stuck out here.”

Wilkie was one of more than half a dozen SCV residents who made the trek to Thousand Oaks Wednesday for line dancing at the Borderline Bar & Grill.

News emerging from those having survived the

ordeal and are now back in the SCV reveals the survivors include students, a baseball coach and a few employees of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

At least a dozen people including the gunman were killed in the attack at the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks late Wednesday night, said Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean.

The gunman, identified later as 28-year-old former Marine Ian David Long, began shooting patrons inside the bar. “The suspect, whom we believe was the only suspect, was dead inside,” Dean said.

Law enforcement officials representing the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the crime scene in an ongoing operation stretching over days.

“The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation and the FBI is providing assistance,” FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said late Friday afternoon.

“The FBI’s Evidence Response Team continues to process the crime scene and assist at the request of Ventura County,” she said.

“I expect the ERT to be at the scene for several days. We are also participating at the victim assistance center with Ventura County officials in providing support and resources for victims,” Eimiller said.

Asked what she is feeling, Wilkie said: “It comes in waves of grief, terror, disgust, and loved. That feeling knowing I am with my Borderline family and we are keeping each other strong.

“These people have always been my family,” she said of the Borderline patrons and staff.

“This tragedy happening only made our bond stronger. But we have been a family for a long time,” she said. “And honestly the only thing I feel like I need to do right now is hug whoever I can and be with them and support each other.

“I don’t care if my car is sequestered. I know my friends have my back, like my friend just dropped off some cash, clothes and a bag for me. Because I’m still in the same clothes as Wednesday night.”